STEM + Advocacy Initiatives

I CAN PERSIST STEM Initiative

The I CAN PERSIST (ICP) Initiative is a culturally responsive, evidenced-based STEM program designed by Dr. Kerrie Wilkins-Yel. The initiative aims to advance academic and career persistence among women and girls of color interested in pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. At the core of this initiative is a focus on providing a counter experience to the otherwise chilly climate that often plagues STEM environs. Here, women and girls of color are surrounded by an oasis of diverse, talented, multi-disciplinary scholars who are committed to affirming their belongingness in STEM while honoring and uplifting their intersecting identities. Read more about ICP here.

Co-founded by Drs. Maureen Biggers and Kerrie Wilkins-Yel, the Black Women in Technology (B-WiT) is a multi-disciplinary special interest group within the Center for Excellence for Women in Technology (CEWIT) that is dedicated to promoting the academic, career, and social advancement of Black and other minority women at Indiana University. Together, we aim to increase the representation of women of color across a myriad of fields, particularly within the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines. All programming initiatives are designed to foster empowerment, support, community engagement, mentorship, and access to professional networking opportunities while enhancing technical skills.. Read more about BWIT here.

CareerWISE helps women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs find ways to better manage the challenges in their immediate environments and expand personal skills for thriving in their future career environments. The CareerWISE resource is an individualized online program that pairs empirically based pedagogical content with an interactive simulated environment that provides users with practice opportunities. It is the first program of its kind to provide systematic training in interpersonal communication skills customized for female students in STEM. Read more about CareerWISE here.

Community Conversation (CC) is a diversity dialogue initiative that utilizes group activities as a catalyst for discussion between individuals from different backgrounds. The idea was born out of a need to engage students from all walks of life in an open, facilitated discussion about diversity, particularly at a time when the United States seems very divided. CCs are designed to broaden and challenge students’ understanding of issues related to race/ethnicity, diversity, inequality, and privilege. Over 300 students have participated in CC groups to date. Read more about CC here.